Allison Mueller/ Winonan

Parents cheered on Winona State University’s undefeated women’s rugby team at home on Saturday against St. Cloud—the only other undefeated team in the Northern Lights Conference.

With cheers and a week worth of preparation in practice, the Black Katts won 100-5 over St. Cloud with a crowd full of moms and dads, who some say are the team’s biggest fans.

“Very early on we recognized that parents want to be involved with the team and wanted to contribute,” former head coach Roger Riley said.

He is now the faculty advisor and “paper pusher” for the men’s and women’s rugby club and has also started the long process of making rugby a varsity sport.

Riley stepped in for Nick Pronold as assistant coach for the previous game against Mankato. Even though there have been a few changes since he his retirement, Riley said parent involvement and support has remained a huge factor.

During conference play or tournaments players stay at parents’ houses, which provides “a nice homey environment,” Riley said.

When the Black Katts are away at national playoffs, parents organize meals, provide transportation to and from airports and fields, wash uniforms, carry bags and help with many other tasks.

Riley said all of these contributions “allow us to stretch out our money.”

Head coach Josh Krzewinski also said all of the parents communicate over email and plan meals for the team, offer relative’s homes as well as their own to stay in while traveling and provide homemade treats for the players.

“The parental support we have is incredible—better than any rugby team I have seen in our area,” Krzewinski said. “Without them, I am not sure how we would make it work. We are very grateful.”

Senior fullback Nadia Nassif said she looks forward to family weekend every year.

“It is always exciting because more parents means more fans, and that just raises the excitement in the atmosphere,” Nassif said.

Senior eight-man and lock Ashley Pomeroy said, “The parents on our team are some of our biggest fans. They do a lot for our team, and we are so lucky they are all so supportive of us playing such a rough sport.”

A few Black Katts are nursing injuries such as sprains and concussions in addition to the normal aches and pains of rugby.

Pomeroy said, “Injuries effect the whole team because our teammates have to sit out until they are cleared. They are missed on the field, but we have many players who can and are willing to step up where it’s needed.”

Krzewinski said he gave the girls a light practice on Tuesday, but the rest of the week was business as usual.

Krzewinski said, “Our focus will be on ball handling and executing much more effectively after we win our set pieces. Although the match versus Mankato was a solid win, I wasn’t to get back to using our high powered, fast offense to put lots of points on the board.”

Winona State scored 16 tries and converted 10 of those. As they racked up points, St. Cloud allowed the Black Katts to sub more than the allotted amount so everyone on the team saw time on the field.

In addition, Krzewinski said St. Cloud traveled light and the Black Katts loaned them a few girls throughout the course of the day.

Although the Black Katts won in a landslide, Krzewinski said that the hardest part about games like this is getting the players to continue to focus on their personal skills and the pattern of play.

Krzewinski said, “Everyone wants to get their hands on the ball and score, which often leads to mistakes and could be costly down the road in bigger games.”

The Black Katts will be on the road for the next two weekends. On Saturday they face Bemidji, followed by North Dakota State the next weekend.

Going forward, Krzewinski said the Black Katts need to continue to push themselves, even after lopsided wins.

“We have to keep reminding ourselves that come playoffs, we will be tested, and we need to be ready,” Krzewinski said. “Right now it’s all about discipline, mental focus and working on the small things that will make each girl better.”